What Type Of Latex For Prosthetic Makeup

My very beginning experience doing my ain makeup effects was when I was in the quaternary grade.

There was a Halloween contest at my elementary schoolhouse, and of all things, I wanted to be a spider.

Since there were no ready made spider-esque makeups, I chose a pimple face up makeup prosthetic that I painted with grease paint. Information technology was the first time I ever bought a prosthetic.

Information technology wasn't until many years later that I discovered I could brand my own makeup prosthetics.

Making them is so simple. There really is no reason to buy them anymore.

Hither's what I've learned near what information technology takes to make your own prosthetic makeup appliances.

These are the five main types of materials used in making makeup prosthetics.

With the exception of liquid latex, I haven't had experience using all of these. What I have hither is just from my own research.

If you lot find anything that you'd like to add, I hope yous'll leave it in the comments for the rest of u.s..

Latex

I call it plain ole liquid latex. It's likewise called slip latex, slush latex, or mask makers latex.

I've bought it from several places: Halloween stores, specialty makeup stores, Amazon, and fifty-fifty Walmart.

I oasis't seen much of a departure in the quality in the ones I've used, but some say there is a difference in the more expensive brands. They tend to last longer and be more durable.

Yous can use liquid latex directly on the skin or create a makeup prosthetic with it.

If you lot want a skilful, in depth clarification on how to make makeup prosthetic using liquid latex yous can get more than detailed instructions at FX Supply.

Pros of using liquid latex:

Easy to use.
Piece of cake to purchase and inexpensive.
Fast prepare time.
Can exist colored with water-based acrylic paint.

Cons of using liquid latex:

Can yellow over time.
Rots over time.
Some people accept allergic reactions to latex, so y'all accept to be conscientious.
Perspiration, oils, sunlight and heat can ruin latex.
Adheres permanently to porous materials (like jeans, t-shirts, etc.)

Common cold Cream

Cold Foam Makeup - Have You Used These 5 Materials for Making Prosthetics? — Common cold foam apparatus by Rubies Costumes, Stella Sensel, MakeUp Artist – Pinterest

This material doesn't demand an oven to cure. That makes information technology easier to work with and faster than cream latex (more than on that beneath).

Cold foam is also chosen flexible expanding urethane foam.

Artists use it to make full hollow pieces to keep them from being flimsy (i.due east. horns). And it'southward good for quick jobs since y'all don't need any special equipment to create with information technology.

FX Warehouse has detailed instructions on how to use cold foam.

Pros of using common cold cream:

Quick and piece of cake to use.
Slap-up for prosthetics where flexibility isn't required (i.e. noses, chins, horns, etc.).
Cures in minutes rather than hours.

Cons of using cold cream:

Not flexible, so characters would not be able to emote (dramatize or show emotion) or talk through an appliance.
Since it is polyurethane, information technology can be unsafe to utilise on the skin when not cured. Subsequently it has cured, it is considered safety.

Gelatin

This material is quite versatile and, for the most part, easily accessible.

At LearnMakeupEffects.com, Stuart Bray gives a groovy synopsis of what makeup manufacture grade gelatin is and why any form works well for practicing.

For a fantastic tutorial on making a makeup prosthetic using shop bought gelatin, watch Pinkstylist'southward tutorial on YouTube.

Pros on using gelatin:

Gelatin can be melted and reused.
Gelatin cuts and acts but like flesh.
Gelatin can exist frozen to last longer.

Cons on using gelatin:

Larger pieces can exist heavy.
Can normally only be used on the day you make it.
It rots, some other reason to use it the same day.
It does not need very high temperatures to melt. Keep it out of your hot car or trunk.
It isn't durable, and yous have to be careful when treatment information technology.

Here are some more tidbits on gelatin that I thought were important:

Gelatin is heavier to vesture than foam latex.

Gelatin is less expensive than foam latex.

Glycerin and Sorbitol are added to assist gelatin terminal longer. See the recipe to brand FX course gelatin here.

Foam Latex

This material is oft used in costuming, puppets and stop movement animation in place of clay.

The base material of foam latex is, of course, liquid latex. It's mixed with other additives, which are ofttimes sold together in kits.

Pros of using foam latex:

It's light and fluffy.
It'south reasonably like shooting fish in a barrel to repair if torn.
You can paint it with PAX pigment.
Information technology can exist made to be every bit tough equally leather or very soft, depending on the additives used.

Cons of using foam latex:

It can begin to rot in as little every bit six months, so your work won't last forever.
Mixing isn't e'er easy, every bit at that place are many factors to consider, namely timing.
It has to exist mixed in a dedicated mixer and cured in a dedicated oven. Neither can be used again for nutrient.
The natural oils in your hands can alter the composition, so y'all have to habiliment gloves.

Silicone

Silicone is a product I can't expect to endeavour. The results are and so realistic.

Watch this video of a adept comparing between foam latex prosthetics and silicone. Yous'll see what I hateful.

The beginner kits I found were either Platsil Gel-10 or Shine-On.

Pros of using silicone for prosthetics makeup:

Silicone makeup prosthetics don't rot and volition last for decades.
There are two components that you mix i:1, making it simple to mix.
Curing is washed at room temperature.
No special equipment needed.
Soft, so it flexes and moves with the move of real pare

Cons of using silicone for makeup prosthetics:

Silicone tin be heavy.
It tin be difficult to paint; the only thing that sticks to silicone is silicone.
Information technology'due south difficult to repair tears.
Some plasticene clay contains sulfur, which will react to silicone.
Silicone is often more expensive than cream latex.
Has a smooth to it that may or may not compliment your prosthetic.
Cannot be reused.

Have something to add together (or take away)? Let us know in the comments.

The following sites helped with this mail:

Foam Latex – Wikipedia

The Scarlet Messages – Silicone or Cream Latex Next?

Makeup Prosthetics from Special Effect Supply

FX Warehouse – Using A/B Cold Foam

Special Furnishings Supply – Hot Foam vs. Cold Foam

Latex Mask Md

LiquidLatex.com

Silicone Appliance Mold – Part ii